How to Fix a Floor: Squeaks, Loose Tiles, Cracked Grout and Gaps
Quick answer: Most floor problems can be fixed without lifting the floor, once you know what's actually wrong. Squeaks and creaks are usually a board moving. Hollow or rocking tiles have lost their bond underneath. Cracked grout is often a symptom of a loose tile. Gaps in click floors are planks that have drifted apart. Find your problem below, then follow the matching guide.
By Paul Lanzarotti, Floor Fix Pro.
Which fix does your floor need?
| What you're noticing | What's usually wrong | How to fix it |
|---|---|---|
| Floorboards squeak or creak when you walk, including under carpet | A board moving on a nail or joist | Screw it tight to the joist from above: how to fix creaky floorboards |
| Stairs creak | A tread moving on its riser or stringer | Secure the tread from above: how to stop stairs creaking |
| Laminate, LVT or engineered floor creaks | Friction in the click joints, or a dip in the subfloor | Test first, then treat the joint or support the board: how to fix a squeaky laminate floor |
| A tile sounds hollow, rocks or has lifted | The tile has lost its bond with the floor below | Inject adhesive through the grout line to re-bond it: how to fix loose floor tiles |
| Grout keeps cracking | Usually a loose tile flexing underneath | Fix the tile first, then regrout: why grout cracks |
| Gaps have opened between laminate or engineered planks | Planks have drifted apart in their click joints | Pull them back together without lifting: closing gaps in click floors |
How to fix a floor that squeaks or creaks
On traditional floorboards and carpeted floors, the lasting fix is to stop the board moving by screwing it to the joist below. Snap-off scored screws let you do this through carpet with nothing visible afterwards. Floating click floors must never be screwed down; test the joints and treat them instead. Read the full creaky floorboards guide.
Products: Stop Squeak Repair Kit, Squeaky Floor Test Kit, Click Lube, Groove Gasket.
How to fix a floor with loose or hollow tiles
If the tile is intact and the floor beneath it is sound, you can usually re-bond it without lifting it. Adhesive is injected through a small access point in the grout line to fill the void, then the tile is weighted while the adhesive cures. Cracked-through tiles, damp or widespread movement need the underlying problem fixed first. Read the loose tiles guide.
Products: Injectafix Pro 300ml, Injectafix Easy Squeeze, Twist & Grout.
How to fix a floor with gaps between the boards
Gaps in click laminate, LVT and engineered floors can be closed by gripping the plank's surface and sliding it back into place, with no lifting and no tapping blocks. For a gap that keeps reopening, fix the plank in place once it's closed. Gaps in herringbone floors need the same approach.
Products: Plank Grabber, Plank Grabber Permanent Fix Pack.
When not to fix a floor yourself
- The floor feels soft, springy or sags.
- You can see rot, damp, woodworm or water damage.
- Tiles are lifting across a whole area (tenting), or the substrate is breaking up.
- Problems started suddenly after a leak or building work.
These point to a structural or moisture problem that needs a professional to assess first.
Frequently asked questions
Can you fix a floor without lifting it?
Often, yes. Squeaks, creaky stairs, loose tiles and gaps in click floors can usually be repaired from above. Structural problems, rot and damp can't.
What's the cheapest way to fix a creaky floor?
Securing the loose board yourself is far cheaper than replacing the floor or paying for a call-out. Lubricants like talc or WD-40 only work for a day or two.
Should I regrout cracked grout?
Check the tile first. If it's loose, new grout will crack again. Re-bond the tile, then regrout.
Not sure what's wrong with your floor? Email hello@floorfixpro.com with a short video and we'll tell you which fix you need.
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